How to improve communication with a hearing-impaired person
Hearing loss normally appears gradually. The decrease is so gradual that it can be difficult to detect in the early stages. Communication difficulties can create great tension in couples or families. If a loved one is suffering from hearing loss, here are some tips to make communication easier.
Reduce background noise
- Turn off devices that are not being used (TV, radio, etc.)
- Move away from sources of noise (windows, ventilation, noisy places, etc.)
Improve clarity of message
- Visual contact between an individual you and the hearing-impaired person will help greatly. Avoid talking to each other from different rooms at home.
- Avoid yelling: speech is distorted and loses its clarity. Proper articulation, volume, and speed are preferable.
- If a hearing-impaired person does not understand, use different words rather than repeating the same.
- Get the attention of a hard of hearing person before you start talking to him or her, by saying their name or touching their arm.
Respect the hearing-impaired person
- A hearing-impaired person does not ask others to repeat on purpose. A hearing-impaired person does not pretend not to hear and does not have “selective hearing”. They live with a hearing impairment on a daily basis and try their best.
- Support the person in their difficulties and in the wearing of hearing aids. Accepting hearing loss and learning to live with hearing aids can be challenging. A present, understanding and encouraging entourage plays an important role in successful communication.